Дублинцы
The Dead
Shehadprecededhimintothepantrytohelphimoffwithhisovercoat.Gabrielsmiledatthethreesyllablesshehadgivenhissurnameandglancedather.Shewasaslim;growinggirl,paleincomplexionandwithhay-colouredhair.Thegasinthepantrymadeherlookstillpaler.Gabrielhadknownherwhenshewasachildandusedtositontheloweststepnursingaragdoll.
“Yes,Lily,”heanswered,“andIthinkwe’reinforanightofit.”
Helookedupatthepantryceiling,whichwasshakingwiththestampingandshufflingoffeetonthefloorabove,listenedforamomenttothepianoandthenglancedatthegirl,whowasfoldinghisovercoatcarefullyattheendofashelf.
“Tellme.Lily,”hesaidinafriendlytone,“doyoustillgotoschool?”
“Ono,sir,”sheanswered.“I’mdoneschoolingthisyearandmore.”
“O,then,”saidGabrielgaily,“Isupposewe’llbegoingtoyourweddingoneofthesefinedayswithyouryoungman,eh?”
Thegirlglancedbackathimoverhershoulderandsaidwithgreatbitterness:
“Thementhatisnowisonlyallpalaverandwhattheycangetoutofyou.”
Gabrielcoloured,asifhefelthehadmadeamistakeand,withoutlookingather,kickedoffhisgoloshesandflickedactivelywithhismufflerathispatent-leathershoes.
Hewasastout,tallishyoungman.
